Three Isolated-Pentagon-Rule Isomers of C 96 Fullerene Isolated as Trifluoromethyl Derivatives

The family of experimentally confirmed isolated-pentagon-rule (IPR) isomers of C fullerene is extended by trifluoromethylation of a C fraction of the fullerene soot, high-performance liquid chromatography separation of CF derivatives, and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of C (CF ) compounds with the use of synchrotron radiation. New cage isomers were revealed in C (94)(CF ) and C (182)(CF ) compounds, whereas isomer C (181), previously known in the adduct with nickel porphyrinate, was confirmed in C (181)(CF ) derivatives. Common and special features of the addition patterns of CF groups on C carbon cages are discussed in more detail. The investigated isomers belong to the most stable -C (181) and slightly less stable -C (94) and -C (182) among the altogether 15 experimentally confirmed IPR isomers of C fullerene.